We check in with people at each stage of the cash transfer process to see how things are going. Take a look at some of their stories as they appear here in real-time.
Learn more about how recipients opt in to share their stories.
Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
It was early in the morning when I was woken up my messager ringtone. it was so unusual for me to receive a message that early and due to curiousity, I picked the phone and opened the message. I found out that I had received the transfers and I was so happy that I woke my wife up and we said a prayer where we prayed for GiveDirectly so that God can continue blessing the donors and so that the can continue uplifting more people.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
The biggest difference is that we are now able to afford three meals per day compared to previous when we were used to one meal per day. I am also at peace seeing my grandchild who had stayed out of school for a long time back in school chasing his dreams.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
When I was young, working and energetic, I wanted to build a strong house for my family and have a decent place when I will spend time after retirement. Being a casual worker who was not earning much, I was overwhelmed with responsibilities and I had nothing to show by the time I was retiring about fifteen years ago. I came back to my muddy house where I have been living with my wife since my children grew up and moved out to start their own families. My wife and I have been depending on them for basic needs and since they don't have reliable jobs and got families to provide for, they have been trying to provide for us where they could. My goal was to build a house with the transfer and when I received my first transfer, I spend KES 17700 to make concrete blocks which I'm planning to build a small permanent house with. I also spent KES 8000 to pay school fees for one of my grandchildren who had stayed out of school for long time and the balance to buy enough food which can last me and my wife for two months.
Enrolled
access_time over 2 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
I plan to complete my one-bedroom house which I built 3 years ago but due to lack of enough money I could not do it. Receiving this money would mean I buy enough building materials such as five bags cement, four complete window frames. I will spend 12000 KES on this. When my house is complete I believe it will be the best and safe place to live in. The rest of the money will be spent on food as I currently depend on my children to provide for my basic needs.
What is the happiest part of your day?
I am always at peace when my family of five has enough food. Last month my son sent me 3500 KES which I bought food which could sustain us for a whole month. I also feel great when my family is in good health.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
My subsistence farming occupation which has been greatly affected by the drought experienced in the region, is no longer reliable. Therefore lack of food at home is a big challenge since sometimes I go to bed hungry. I only depend on my sons who do casual labour in Mombasa. My old age can not allow me engage in other economic activities like burning charcoal which is the only job done by my villigers.
